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Caleb Moore dies one week after snowmobile crash at Winter X Games

Texas snowmobiler Caleb Moore died Thursday, one week after a horrific crash at the Winter X Games in Aspen, according to a statement from family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson. He was 25.

The fatality marks the first in the 17-year history of the Winter X Games.

Moore, a four-time X Games medalist, was injured Jan. 24 during the snowmobile freestyle contest. He under-rotated a backflip and dug the skis of his sled into the lip of the landing. The 450-pound snowmobile slammed Moore as he tumbled down the landing ramp, knocking him unconscious.

The statement from Lawson:

"On behalf of the Moore family: This morning Caleb Moore passed away. He will be truly missed and never forgotten.

Photos: Caleb Moore

"The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers and support they have received from all the fans, friends and family around the world that Caleb has inspired.

"They would also like to thank the physicians and medical staff at both Aspen Valley Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction for their care and dedication.

"At this time, the family will not be making any other public statements. They continue to decline interviews. Thank you for continuing to respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."

After the crash, Moore was moving and asked his brother Colten Moore what happened. Caleb Moore walked away from the landing area. Colten Moore crashed on the same jump about 30 minutes later and sustained a separated pelvis.

Caleb Moore was taken to the Aspen Valley Hospital after the crash because of a concussion. Doctors there discovered bleeding around his heart and he was helicoptered to Grand Junction's St. Mary's Hospital. Doctors there performed emergency heart surgery Friday morning. Late Sunday, a family spokeswoman said the cardiac injury led to "a secondary complication involving his brain."

ESPN, which hosts the X Games, released a statement on Caleb Moore's death amid questions about the safety of action sports.

"We are deeply saddened by Caleb Moore's passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Wade and Michelle, his brother, Colten, and the entire Moore family. He will be remembered for his natural passion for life and his deep love for his family and friends, and he will always be an inspiration to everyone he touched in the action sports community.

"As a result of this accident we will conduct a thorough review of this discipline and adopt any appropriate changes to future X Games.

"For 18 years we have worked closely on safety issues with athletes, course designers and other experts. Still, when the world's best compete at the highest level in any sport, risks remain. Caleb was a four-time X Games medalist attempting a move he has landed several times previously."

There were five snowmobile competitions at this year's X Games. The freestyle event is a where riders have 1 minute, 15 seconds to perform a series of tricks on a variety of jumps.

The Moore brothers stormed the snowmobile freestyle scene three years ago in Aspen, transferring their decades of experience racing and jumping ATV four-wheelers to snow sports. The duo learned to flip snowmobiles in a foam pit they built with their father in the back yard of their home in Krum, Texas. Caleb Moore won a freestyle bronze medal in his X Games debut in 2010. He won bronze again in 2011. Last year he won best trick silver, finishing behind Colten Moore's gold.

Last year, the Moore brothers rode together on a snowmobile and did a backflip during the best trick event.

A website was set up earlier this week where fans can help Moore's family with support. "People have been asking for an outlet to help with the medical bills," Lawson said of the site giveforward.com/calebmoore.

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